Signaling device.



R. B. TBNNEY, JR;

SIGNALING DEVICE. I APPLICATION FILED OUT 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 25, 1-911.

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R. B. TENNEY, J3.

SIGNALING DEVIUE.

LPPLIOATIOI FILED 001'- 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 25, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT B. TENNEY, JR., OF SCI-IENEGTADY, NEW YORK.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT B. TENNEY, J12, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State ofNew York, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements inSignaling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention is an improvement in signaling devices, and itsprincipal object, broadly stated, comprehends the pro duction of anextremely simple, inexpensive, durable and effective device of the classspecified designed primarily for attachment to a motor car and forautomatic operation when the speed at which the car is traveling reachesa predetermined point, so as to notify the driver to reduce the speed.

At the present time,'the speed at which a car may be driven is regulatedby law in most localities, as is generally understood. These regulationsare, as a rule, strictly enforced, this being especially true of such asrelate to travel within the limits of a town or city, and theirviolation renders the offender subject to arrest and line. It has,accordingly, become the custom to equip cars with speedometers orsimilar instruments to constantly indicate the rate of speed, but sincethe attention of the driver is ordinarily fixed upon the road ahead, itfrequently happens that he neglects to watch the indicator and thusunconsciously exceeds the speed limit. On the other hand, if an audiblesignal were substituted for the noiseless indicator above referred to,it will be apparent that the actuation of such signal would of necessitywarn the driver that the speed limit had been exceeded and that the carshould be slowed down.

It may be stated, therefore, that this invention resides essentially inthe production of an audible signal attachment for motor cars and thelike, such attachment having a positive operative connection with one ofthe car wheels so as to admit of its automatic actuation when theprescribed speed limit is reached. It is also an important object of theinvention to provide a signal attachment of the type stated, which iswholly mechanical. in its construction and operation, and which, assuch, does not depend for its operation upon any uncertain force, as acurrent of air or electricity.

The invention further resides in the employment of a case or housingwithin which Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 25, 1911. Serial No. 522,299.

the operating elements of the device are inclosed, it being the purposeof the invention to make use of a two-part case or housing which may belocked and sealed by a government ofiicial after the device itself hasbeen tested.

Finally, the invention comprehends tho production of an instrument ofthe type de scribed which is designed for complete detachment from thecar so as to admit of its being officially tested and adjusted toconform to the statutory requirements of a particular locality.

Briefly described, the device comprises a resonant metal body,preferably bell-shaped, and a rotatable impact member driven at a speeddirectly proportional to that of the car and operable by centrifugalforce to strike against and sound said body. The impact member ismounted eccentrically with reference to the driving member of the device, and may be either directly connected to the latter member orcarried by a rotating support secured thereto.

The invention also contemplates the coating of either the operating endof the impact member or the inner surface of the resonant body, so thatupon the actuation of the device a mark will be made upon said end orsurface, thereby positively evidencing such actuation.

The invention will be readily understood from a consideration of thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which latter itspractical embodiment is illustrated. It is to be understood, however,that no limitation to the exact details of construction shown anddescribed, is intended, since modifications and changes may obviously bemade within the scope of the appended claims,

Of the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmental diagrammatic view illustratingthe position of the device when attached to a car. Fig. 2 is an enlargedvertical sectional View taken centrally through one form of the device.Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4is a perspective view of the rotating disk by which the impact member iscarried. Fig. 5 is a fragmental horizontal sectional view showing theimpact member carried by the drive shaft. Fig. 6 is a central verticalsectional view of a modified form of the invention. Fig. 7 is ahorizontal section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a centralVertical sectional View of a further modification. Fig. 9 is ahorizontal section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Reference being had to the drawings and the numerals marked upon thesame, it will be seen from an inspection thereof that the operatingparts of the device include essentially, as already stated, abell-shaped resonant body 1, a flexible drive shaft 2, and an impactmember or hammer. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the impact member, which isindicated by the numeral 3, is shown as in the form of a flat tongueloosely mounted at one end upon an upstanding pin 4: set eccentricallyinto a disk 5, rigidly secured to the solid upper end portion of theshaft. The lower end of said shaft is provided with a gear 6 whichmeshes with alarger gear 7 fastened to the hub of the adjacent frontwheel 8 of the car. By reason of this construction, it will be apparentthat when the car is in motion, the rotation of the disk will likewisebe eifected, the speed of such rotation being directly proportional tothat at which the car is driven.

The free end of the impact member is con nected by a retractile spring 9with a threaded bolt 10 adjustably carried by a lug 11 formed upon thedisk 5, the adjustment of the bolt serving to vary the tension of thespring, as will be apparent. In order to retain the bolt in adjustedposition, it is provided with a nut 12 arranged to be tightened againstthe adjacent face of the lug.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the supporting pin 4L isomitted, and the impact member 30 is mounted directly upon the driveshaft and eccentrically of the same.

The rotating disk is surrounded by a metal ring 18 in which is formed acircular series of relatively long slots 14 located at equal distancesapart from each other. These slots are arranged in the plane of theimpact member.

The bell, disk and ring are inclosed within a two-part case 15 which isarranged to rest upon the floor of the car directly adjacent thedash-board, as shown in Fig. 1, said case comprising cover and basemembers 16 and 17 having a hinge connection 18 therebetween. The slottedring 13 is adapted to rest upon the base member of the case, and is heldin place in any preferred manner, while the bell is suspended directlyfrom the top of the cover and is arranged for movement with the latter,the lower portion of the bell lying in close proximity to the ring.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the direct attachment of thedisk to the drive shaftwill cause the disk to rotate when the car is inmotion, the impact member being carried around with the disk, this beingtrue of both forms of the invention above described. If then, the speedof the car be increased to an extent sutficient to enable thecentrifugal force thus exerted upon the impact member to overcome thetension of the spring, said member will fly outward, and its free endwill pass successively through the slots 14 in the ring as the same arereached during such rotation, and will come sharply into contact withthe hell, thereby sounding the latter. Moreover, it is designed that theslots shall be spaced suflicientiy far apart from each other to occasionan appreciable interval between the sounds emitted by the bell.Consequently, it maybe stated that the given signal to warn the driverof the car to reduce speed is in the nature of a series of sharp strokesupon the bell in quick succession, the signaling mechanism beingautomatically actuated when the prescribed speed is reached.

In the two modified forms of the invention shown in Figs. 6, '7, 8 and9, the changes are in the construction of the resonant body or hell andthe impact member, and in the manner in which the latter is mounted,rather than in the operation of the device itself. It is to be assumed,therefore, that in both instances the operating parts of the device areinclosed in a case identical in construction with that shown in Fig. 2.The manner in which the case is locked, and the reasons-for theprovision of locking means therefor will be l'icreinafter explained atlength.

Vith reference to the resonant body or hell, the changes above referredto consist merely in forming upon the inner surface thereof a series ofinwardly-extending lugs or projections 19. These projections arearranged at equidistant intervals and occupy a common plane, whichplane, in the construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is that in which theimpact member n'ioves, said member having the same shape as that shownin Figs. 2, 3, t and The formation of the projections obviates thenecessity for the employment of the slotted ring, since the intermittentsounding of the bell is effected by the spaced arrangement of saidprojections, the impact member striking one projection, and, on passingthe same, flying outward to a slightly greater extent until the nextprojection is reached, without, however, coming into contact with thebell body during such outward movement. In other words, the impactmember comes into contact with the projections only, the dimensions ofthe various parts being so proportioned as to effect this result. Theimpact member may, if preferred, be mounted directly upon the driveshaft, as in the construction shown in Fig. 5, further illustrationbeing cons dered unnecessary.

.In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the solid upper portion ofthe drive shaft 2 is extended up to within a short distance of the topof the bell, and to the terminal of such extension the impact member 33is piv oted, said member being in the form of a hammer, as illustrated.This member hangs downward, and is held at an angle to the shaft bymeans of the spring 21, its weightcd or enlarged free end being normallybelow the plane of the projections 19 Therefore, when the requisiterotary movement is imparted to the shaft, and the speed of such rotationbecomes sutficiently high, the impact member will swing outward andupward under the centrifugal force exerted thereupon and on reaching theplane of the projections, will strike the same as in the precezlingconstruction.

By reason of the formation of the projections, and the consequentomission of the slotted ring, it will be apparent that the wear upon theimpact member is decreased to a very material extent, since the impactmember contacts only with the projections and then only when the speedreaches the point where the actuation of the signal takes place. On theother hand, where the ring is made use of, the impact member willcontact with the ring almost as soon as the centrifugal force exertedupon it becomes suflicient to overcome the tension of the spring, andsuch contact will continue to exist so long as said force does not fallbelow that point.

With respect to the case, it may be further stated that the base members16 and 17 thereof are preferably locked together by a padlock or similarfastener 22, the employment of which prevents access to the operatingparts of the instrument. These parts are intended to be thoroughlytested by a government official prior to the application of the padlock,upon which latter an ofiicial seal 24 is to be placed at the conclusionof the test, when the same is successful, thereby indicating theaccuracy of the instrument.

The invention also contemplates the coat ing of the inner surface of thebell with chalk, so that when the signal is actuated, the contact of theimpact member against such surface leaves a mark thereon] A similarresult may also be obtained by chalking the surface of said member, orby blackening such surface, and it may also be obtained by blackeningsaid surface and chalking that of the bell, and vice versa. In any oneof the instances enumerated, the appearance of the mark upon the bellsurface will afiiord positive evidence of the actuation of the signal.

Further description of the invention, its advantages and its mode ofoperation is deemed unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of a case consisting of a base and a cover; asignaling device inclosed within said case and comprising a resonantbody, a rotatable member, an impact member carried by said rotatablemember for rotation therewith, means for normally holding said impactmember in inoperative position, and means for driving said rotatablemember, to cause said impact member to move outwardly under thecentrifugal force exerted thereon, to strike said body; and means forlocking said cover and base together, to prevent access to saidsignaling device.

2. The combination of a two-part case hav ing its members hingedtogether; a signaling device inclosed within said case and com prising aresonant body, a rotatable member, an impact member carried by saidrotatable member for rotation therewith, means for normally holding saidimpact member in inoperative position, and means for driving saidrotatable member, to cause said impact member to move outwardly underthe centrifugal force exerted thereon, to strike said body; and meansfor locking the members of said case together, to prevent access to saidsignaling device.

3. The combination of a case consisting of a base, and a cover hingedthereto; a signaling device inclosed within said case and comprising aresonant body attached to said cover for movement with the same, animpact member carried by said rotatable member for rotation therewith,means for normally holding said impact member in inoperative position,and means for driving said rotatable member, to cause said impact memberto move outwardly under the centrifugal force exerted thereon, to strikesaid body; and means for locking said cover in closed position toprevent access to said signaling device.

4. The combination of a case consisting of a base, and a cover hingedthereto; a signaling device inclosed within said case and comprising aresonant body suspended at its center from said cover for movement withthe same, an impact member carried by said rotatable member for rotationtherewith, means for normally holding said impact member in inoperativeposition, and means for driving said. rotatable member, to cause saidimpact member to move outwardly under the centrifugal force exertedthereon, to strike said body; and means for locking said cover in closedposition, to prevent access to said signaling device.

5. A signaling device comprising, in combination, a resonant body; adisk encircled by said body and provided wit-h a lug; a bolt adjustablycarried by said lug; means for holding said bolt in adjusted position;an impact member eccentrically pivoted to said disk; a spring connectionbetween said bolt and member for normally holding the latter ininoperative position; and means for rotating said disk, to cause saidmember to strike said body when the centrifugal force exerted upon saidmember exceeds the tension of said spring.

6. A signaling device comprising, in combination, a resonant body; aslotted ring encircled by said body; a rotatable member;

' by said body and formed with a circular series of slots; a rotatablemember disposed within said ring; an impact member carried by saidrotatable member for rotation with the same; means for normally holdingsaid impact member in inoperative position; and means for driving saidrotatable member, to cause said impact member to move outwardly, underthe centrifugal force exerted thereon, through the successive slots insaid ring, to strike said body at intervals.

8. A signaling device comprising, in combination, a resonant body; aslotted ring encircled by said body; a disk encircled by said ring; animpact member pivoted to said disk for rotation therewith; means fornormally holding said impact member in inoperative position; and meansfor rotating the said disk, to cause said impact member to moveoutwardly, under the centrifugal force exerted thereon, through the slotin said ring, to strike said body.

9. A signaling device, comprising, in combination, a resonant body; aring encircled by said body and formed with a circular series of slots;a disk encircled by said ring; an impact member pivoted eccentrically tosaid disk; means for normally holding said impact member in inoperativeposition; and means for rotating said disk to cause said impact memberto move outwardly, under centrifugal force exerted thereon, through thesuccessive slots in said ring, to strike said body at intervals.

10. A signaling device comprising, in combination, a resonant body; aslotted ring encircled by said body; a disk encircled by said ring; afiat tongue pivoted to said disk in the plane of the slot in said ring;means for normally holding said tongue in inoperative position; andmeans for rotating said disk, to cause said tongue to swing outwardlyunder the centrifugal force exerted thereon, through said slot, tostrike said body.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ROBERT B. TENNEY, JR.

Witnesses:

MARCUS WING, ROBERT D. MEERE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

